Estate Surveyors Highlight Economic Gains, Professional Value at Annual Conference Umuahia.

Estate Surveyors Highlight Economic Gains, Professional Value at Annual Conference
Umuahia.

The Co-Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, ESV Dr. Chinenerem Iroy Orji, has underscored the economic and professional significance of the institution’s annual gathering, describing it as a critical platform for national development and industry visibility.

Dr. Orji, who also serves as a commissioner in the Abia State Civil Service Commission, made this known while speaking with newsmen at the 56th Annual Conference of the institute held at the International Conference Centre Umuahia.

He explained that the conference is a yearly convergence of estate surveyors and valuers of Nigerian origin, including those in the diaspora, aimed at strengthening professional standards and fostering collaboration.

According to him, the event offers numerous benefits to both participants and host communities. He noted that one of the key gains is increased awareness of the profession, which is often misunderstood.

“Many people think estate surveyors are merely land agents involved in buying and selling property. That is not correct. We are professionals solely entrusted with the responsibility of property valuation.

While anyone can sell property, only certified estate surveyors and valuers can determine its true value,” he said.

Dr. Orji emphasized that proper valuation remains fundamental to all forms of property transactions, adding that no asset can have a credible worth without professional assessment and certification.

He further highlighted the economic impact of the conference, revealing that the influx of between 2,000 and 3,000 participants significantly boosts local commerce.

“This gathering has injected substantial funds into the local economy. Traders, service providers, and businesses from electronics dealers to market vendors are experiencing increased patronage that would not have been possible without this event,” he noted.

The conference, he added, also draws attention from the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria, thereby connecting the host state to federal-level professional activities, policy discussions, and opportunities for growth.

Dr. Orji described the host state’s administration as “visionary, exemplary, and transformative,” noting that visible improvements in infrastructure and governance played a decisive role in securing the hosting rights for the conference.

He disclosed that the state had to compete with more established locations, including Lagos, to host the event an achievement he attributed to recent developmental strides.

“Some years ago, this would not have been possible. But today, the transformation we have seen has changed perceptions and positioned the state as a preferred destination for major national events,” he said.

The 56th annual conference continues with sessions focused on professional development, policy engagement, and strategies to advance the valuation sector in Nigeria.